[Whiteymin]

I am trying to decide whether I should trade my East German Makarov for a Taurus model 85 ultra lite 38 special revolver. What do you guys think???

[nathan]

Keep the mak. Its a better concealed weapon IMO.

[jimmyraythomason]

Both are good guns. The .38 is more powerful than the Mak 9x18 round but the Mak holds more rounds. I personally would keep the EG but it is your choice.

[Ruodo]

I'd keep the makarov, but I'm biased because I love those little guys.

[MCgunner]

Keep the mak. Its a better concealed weapon IMO.

Based on what? I like the maks a lot, quite accurate, about as much pop as a .38, reliable. But, they're too large and heavy for a pocket which the 85UL is definitely not. The 85 is +P rated and there's a HUGE variety of ammo choice. 9x18, not so much. I'm not sure what the east German maks are going for, surely a bit more than most maks as they're sought after by the mak crowd. The 85SSUL is a tick over 300 bucks MSRP I think. It's a very rugged little gun, very accurate, very reliable. I think it'd be a pretty even swap, just up to you, but personally, I'd wanna hang on to the mak and BUY a 85UL if you have the desire for one. I have made enough trades and sold a few guns over the years that I sorta regret now and wish I'd kept some of those firearms. But, I read enough on these boards to know I'm not the only one with these feelings. :D

[doc2rn]

Keep the Mak every Taurus I have owned broke and the last brand new one I couldnt even get parts for.

[MCgunner]

I've got three that I've owned for years and for lots of rounds, no problems with my Tauri, but you always have a Taurus basher on a thread like this, or 10. It has been my experience that Taurus is every bit as good and in some ways better than Smith and Wesson, but opinions are like.....whatever. I own and have owned more Rugers than anything else. But, my current 4" Taurus 66 is the best medium frame 4" DA I've ever owned, includes a M19 K frame and a Security Six. The thing is stronger than the Smith and more accurate than either.

[BP Hunter]

I own a Taurus Model 85 in ultralight. Wonderful revolver. Shoots well and is very accurate. It is my carry. It's light and very concealable.

[Fumbler]

My first question is why you'd consider trading in the first place.

If you want it as a concealed carry gun then yes, trade it. The 85UL will be lighter and you have better ammo options.
I have a J frame airweight and an 85UL and I personally think they conceal better than a Mak.

If the gun is just for fun then I'd probably keep the Mak.

Of course, the best solution is to keep the Mak and buy an 85. They're fairly cheap in the gun world going for $300-360.;)

[ezypikns]

But not an EG.

[christcorp]

I think it's a no brainer. Keep the Mak. People talk about all the different choices of ammo you can get for a 38 special. I personally believe you only need 2 choices. 1 for plinking and practice and 1 for defense. Just because most all ammo for the Mak is in the 95 grain weight class, isn't a problem. A good hornady or bear hollow point; as well as a number of other manufacturers, will take care of the self defense needs. And for plinking, you can't beat the availability and price of 9x18 ammo for plinking/practice. I just ordered 500 rounds of silver bear 9x18 from sportsmansguide for less than $10 a box. You can plink and practice twice as much for the cost of 38 specials. And the Mak is a very good conceal gun.

Don't get me wrong; I love revolvers and one of my favorite guns is my S&W model 13-1 38/357 revolver. But there is a place for certain guns. The Mak is a fantastic self defense weapon. And it's definitely worth more than the taurus. If you really feel that you need a revolver, then put $100 away each month for a couple of months and buy a revolver. You don't need to sell the Mak to get a revolver. Especially a taurus. Now, if you were an investor and was continually trading; and wanted to trade the Mak for a revolver that was worth more than $400, as a tradeup in value, that would be a different story. But a one for one trade isn't worth it.

[MCgunner]

Well, 158 +P "treasurey loads" are far more proven than mak ammo. With only 95 grains, I'll worry a little about adequate penetration. I KNOW the .38 will work. It did end the Miami shoot out, after all. :D

I do agree, don't sell the east German mak, just buy the Taurus. You trade that gun away, especially if it's a good shooter as most maks are, you'll kick yourself some day. When you get that Taurus, you will likely find yourself carrying it a lot more than the mak, but hey, they're not in short supply. Just save, as mentioned, and get it. :D

I'd like to get a mak, actually, been thinkin' about it. I kinda would like an LCP first, though. Then there's this desire for a PT145. Too many guns, not enough money. I could have gotten a comercial mak in .380 acp for 260 not long ago, thought about it, but I think I want it in 9x18 even though I do have dies, a bulllet mold, and loads for .380 already. 9x18, at least before the election, was pretty cheap off the shelf. Not even sure it's worth handloading for, though I have dies for everything I own that goes bang.

[Dave Markowitz]

They aren't making any more Makarovs. Save up for the snubbie if you want one, but keep the Mak.

[Apple a Day]

Keep the Makarov
Keep the Makarov
Keep the Makarov

[wvshooter]

Is there no Taurus love out there? There's none here either. Keep the Mak.

[wally]

They aren't making any more Makarovs. Save up for the snubbie if you want one, but keep the Mak.

Dave has nailed it. The Taurus Ultra-lite will be easier to carry, but you will end up regretting selling the Makarov.

--wally.

[-v-]

No brainer for me, KEEP THE MAKAROV! Much better collector's and historic value, the ammo is fairly effective, and like all others said, you'll regret selling that little gun. Its a relatively rare piece of kit, and it will go only up in value. You won't really regret/kick yourself for selling a Taurus, S&W, etc. snubbie, I almost guarantee!

[cchris]

Going to agree with almost everyone here, keep the Makarov. I'm in the market for one, since 9x18 is available and modestly priced.

[denfoote]

If you are that brainfarted, let me take advantage of it.
I'll trade ya MY Taurus M85SSUL for yer Mak!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/denfoote/NewGrips1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/denfoote/M85ULtarget10yds.bmp

[C-grunt]

Dont sell the mak. You'll regret it later. They are great guns and the EG models are sought after. In some time that mak will probably be worth a pretty penny, the Taurus..... not so much.

[LightningJoe]

Go with the snubnose only if you pocket carry. For strong-side front pocket carry, the aluminum-frame snubnose .38 is hard to beat. But, if you carry on your belt, the automatic pistol has a lot of big advantages, capacity and magazine reloading being the chief.

[jimmyraythomason]

I love my Taurus 85ULs but I sure miss my EG Mak(that only cost me $100).

[7.5-Swiss]

Both are good guns. I've heard lots of people complain about Taurus, but I have a M85 revolver in stainless steel and have had absolutely zero problems with it.

The Mak is a pretty nifty little pistol, definitely worth hanging on to. If you are patient, attentive, and lucky - you can get a pretty good deal on a used M85 off gunbroker/auctionarms (far less then the cost of a Mak), I did - and am pretty satisfied.

[tinygnat219]

Taurus is junk, and while their 85s might be some of their "best" :rolleyes: product, it's still a Taurus. It's also not like they are out of Taurus 85s, there are plenty on the market. Keep the EG Makarov. These are harder to find and will actually go up in value. If it's a money issue, save your pennies and look for a used 85, you'll save some serious money as Taurus products do not hold their value.

[BlayGlock]

All my Taurus revolvers have been great, even so I would keep the Mak and just save up and buy a 85UL. You can get them for $320 or less out the door nib.

[cocojo]

Don't sell the Mak EG, these maks are tough to come by becuase no one will give them up. A good EG mak is worth $350.00 at least and only going up in value. A Taurus 85 can be bought under $300.00 and trade it in the next day and you lost 60% of that purchase. Not a good move. Save your pennies and just buy a Taurus when you get the money. Taurus revolvers are a dime a dozen.

[Deltaboy]

I traded my well used Bul Circle 10 Mak for a NIB Charter Arms Undercover :>) Last week but I would not trade it for a Taurus.

[Deltaboy]

I traded a well used Bul-circle 10 MAK for a NIB Charter Arms Undercover 38 that is about 20 years old. Seller got it from his family estate.

[FMJMIKE]

Are you crazy ????? Keep the Makarov..............:D